Chapter LII: Section LIV

"When the ascetic Vasishtha would not part with the cow of plenty then Vicwamitra, O Rama, forced Savala away. And, O Rama, carried away by that high- souled king, Savala, stricken with grief and afflicted with sorrow, bethought herself, weeping,--'Have I been forsaken by the high-souled Vasistha that the royal retainers carry me off thus aggrieved? What wrong have I done unto that mighty ascetic of concentrated spirit, that, knowing me to be faultless, that righteous one leaveth her that was devoted unto his service?' Revolving this in her mind and sighing again and again, she darted unto where the pre- eminently energetic Vasishtha was; and defeating those servants (of the king), she with the speed of the wind, appeared at the feet of that high-souled one. And weeping Savala having the voice of clouds, standing before Vasishtha, spoke in distressful accents,--'O Brahma's son, wherefore have I been forsaken by thee,--that the servants of the king were carrying me from off thy presence?' Thus addressed the Brahmarshi said these words unto that one aggrieved,and of heart afflicted with sorrow, and like unto a sister,--'0 Savala, not that I forsake thee; nor hast thou done me any wrong. But this mighty king proud of his prowess hath been carrying thee away. Surely, my strength is not equal to his. More specially, he is a king,a powerful king,--more particularly,this day he should not be slain by me (inasmuch as he is my guest): he is a Kshatriya and lord of earth. And he is foremost in might by virtue of possessing this entire Akshauhtni abounding in elephants and horses and cars and standards, and pennons on elephants.' Thus addressed by Vasishtha, that one cognizant of words humbly said in reply unto that Brahmarshi of incomparable power,--'The might of the Kshatriyas is not great,--the Brahmanas are more mighty than they. O Brahmana, superhuman is the power of the Brahmanas, excelling that of the Kshatriyas. Thy power is immeasurable; and the exceedingly energetic Vicwamitra is not as powerful as thyself. Thy energy is unequalled. O highly energetic one, do thou command me bursting with Brahma forces: the pride, power and endeavours of that wicked one will I bring down.' Thus accosted by her, the highly famous Vasishtha, O Rama, said,--'Create thou forces capable of crushing the forces of the enemy.' Hearing those words of his, Suravi created (an army). And, O king, Pahlavas by hundreds brought into being by her lowing, begin even in Vicwamitra's sight to commit havoc upon his forces. Thereat, exceedingly angered, with eyes expanded in ire, that king commenced to slay the Pahlavas with various weapons. And beholding the Pahlavas by hundreds afflicted by Vicwamitra, she again created grim-visaged Sakas mixed with Yavanas. And the field became thronged with the Sakas mixed with Yavanas, of dazzling splendour,exceedingly fierce resembling golden filaments, bearing sharp scimitars and adzes, and clad in yellow apparel. And that entire host (of Vicwamitra) was being consumed by them like unto flaming fires. Then the exceedingly powerful Vicwamitra hurled weapons at them; and with these the Yavanas, Kamvoyas and Varvaras[77] became sore afflicted."

[77] Barbarians.--T.